Trump found guilty on all counts in hush money trial

Donald Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records. He is the first former US president to be convicted in a criminal case.

Calls for violent retribution on pro-Trump websites

Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts has outraged many supporters of the former US president with some calling for violence against jurors, the judge in the case, Justice Juan Merchan, or even civil war.

A number of pro-Trump websites featured posts containing veiled and not-so-veiled references to armed insurrection.

Several observers in the US have expressed concern that the appeal Trump holds for some extremist elements could result in these turning to violence.

Trump himself has fueled his backers’ indignation with comments he himself made after the verdict was delivered, calling judges and prosecutors tools of the Biden administration intent on foiling his bid for the White House.

“This was a disgrace; this was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt,” Trump told reporters after hearing the court’s decision.

However, the anger felt by many Trump supporters has also been expressed in financial terms: Trump aides say that the platform used by his campaign for fundraising crashed amid an intense rush of contributions following the verdict.

What happens next?

Donald Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, said the defense team was eying an appeal “as soon as we can.”

In remarks to broadcaster CNN, Blanche hinted that Trump would push forward with post-trial motions and “if that is not successful, then as soon as we can appeal we will. And the process in New York is there’s a sentencing, and then we appeal from there.”

The sentencing is scheduled for July 11. 

Anna Cominsky, a professor at New York Law School, told DW she expected to see motions filed by Trump’s attorneys. “Basically asking for the court to overturn the jury’s verdict. Those are rarely granted, but they are very common.” 

The falsifying business records charges carry up to four years in prison. But experts say his imprisonment is unlikely. 

“It is more likely that he will get a sentence of something like probation or probation and a fine or probation and community service,” Cominsky said.